Spray nozzle

ABSTRACT

A spray nozzle or showerhead is operable to selectively discharge a continuous spray, a cyclically interrupted pulsating spray of adjustable frequency of pulsation or a combination of the two sprays in which the proportion of the pulsating spray to continuous spray may be controllably varied. The nozzle housing is formed with two separate groups of discharge orifices. First and second flow passages extend through the housing between the housing inlet and one group of orifices via a rotary valve, while a third flow passage bypasses the rotary valve and extends from the housing inlet to the other of the two groups of orifices. Flow through the first flow passage impinges on blades mounted on the rotary valve to drive this valve in rotation at speeds dependent on the magnitude of flow through the first passage. Rotation of the rotary valve cylically interrupts flow to the first group of orifices to cause a pulsating spray to be discharged from the first group of orifices at a frequency of pulsation dependent upon the rotary speed of the rotary valve member. A shutter type valve operable from the exterior of the housing can be positioned to permit flow only through the first passage to discharge an all-pulsating spray of maximum frequency or to permit flow only through the third passage to discharge an all-continuous or nonpulsating spray. The shutter valve further is movable over a first range of movement through which the third passage is progressively closed as the first passage is progressively opened to vary the proportion of pulsating to nonpulsating spray discharge and to increase the pulsation frequency as the pulsating portion of the spray is increased. Over a second range of movement of the shutter valve, the first passage remains fully open while the second passage opening is varied between a fully closed and fully open position. Over this second range of movement of the shutter valve, the third passage is blocked at all times so that an all-pulsating spray is discharged and the frequency of pulsation of this latter spray is varied in accordance with the amount by which the second passage is opened.

Trenary et a1.

Apr. 2, 1974 SPRAY NOZZLE Inventors: John M. Trenary, Fort Collins;

David W. Smith, Wellington, both of Colo.

Assignee: Teledyne Industries, Inc., Fort Collins, C010.

[22] Filed: Sept. 4, 1973 21 App]. No.: 393,953

Related US. Application Data Primary ExaminerM. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Michael Y. Mar Attorney, Agent, or FirmHugh H. Drake [57] ABSTRACT A spray nozzle or showerhead is operable to selectively discharge a continuous spray, a cyclically interrupted pulsating spray of adjustable frequency of pulsation or a combination of the two sprays in which the proportion of the pulsating spray to continuous spray may be controllably varied. The nozzle housing is formed with two separate groups of discharge orifices. First and second flow passages extend through the housing between the housing inlet and one group of orifices via a rotary valve, while a third flow passage bypasses the rotary valve and extends from the housing inlet to the other of the two groups of orifices. Flow through the first flow passage impinges on blades mounted on the rotary valve to drive this valve in rotation at speeds dependent on the magnitude of flow through the first passage. Rotation of the rotary valve cylically interrupts flow to the first group of orifices to cause a pulsating spray to be discharged from the first group of orifices at a frequency of pulsation dependent upon the rotary speed of the rotary valve member. A shutter type valve operable from the exterior of the housing can be positioned to permit flow only through the first passage to discharge an all-pulsating spray of maximum frequency or to permit flow only through the third passage to discharge an allcontinuous or nonpulsating spray. The shutter valve further is movable over a first range of movement through which the third passage is progressively closed as the first passage is progressively opened to vary the proportion of pulsating to nonpulsating spray discharge and to increase the pulsation frequency as the pulsating portion of the spray is increased. Over a second range of movement of the shutter valve, the first passage remains fully open while the second passage opening is varied between a fully closed and fully open position. Over this second range of movement of the shutter valve, the third passage is blocked at all times so that an all-pulsating spray is discharged and the frequency of pulsation of this latter spray is varied in accordance with the amount by which the second passage is opened.

12 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures sazu 02 08 A r H0: 1 I 7 8 /04 62 Q 82 87 M) g; .90 e5 62 80 6 ll 1 1 1'! I 7 as 64 L 'l I 26 74!58:: 46 46" --40 s L; 20 28 44 3e HI lilW/jllllll llll! SPRAY NOZZLE REFERENCETO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of a commonly owned copending application Ser. No. 264,959, filed June 21, 1972, now US. Pat. No. 3,762,648, an invention of ourselves jointly with Siegmund Deines and Clarence J. Hickman.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the aforementioned application Ser. No. 264,959, there is disclosed a spray nozzle or showerhead operable to discharge a cyclically interrupted or pulsating spray in which the frequency of the pulsating spray may be varied over a given range in the face of a constant pressure in the supply of water to the showerhead. As explained in greater detail in application Ser. No. 264,959, the pulsating spray produces a massaging effect, on striking the body of a person using the showerhead, which in most instances is found to be quite stintulating. In the showerhead of application Ser. No. 264,959, two internal flow passages are provided, water flowing through one flow passage driving a rotary valve member in rotation at a rate dependent upon the rate of flow of water through this passage. Water flowing through the other passage does not contribute to the rotary speed of the valve. The valve, upon rotation, cyclically blocks the discharge orifices so that a pulsating spray is discharged, the frequency of pulsation being dependent upon the rate of rotation of the valve member. The frequency of pulsation is thus dependent upon the supply pressure and, for a constant supply pressure, can further be varied by adjustably opening or closing the second flow passage to effectively variably reduce the pressure of flow through the first passage. By varying the supply pressure and the amount of opening of the second passage, a wide range of pulsa- .tion frequencies can be achieved.

While in most instances users are able to adjust the showerhead of application Ser. No. 264,959 to achieve a pleasant massaging action, that showerhead is capable of discharging only a pulsating spray. This feature is in some cases undesirable. For example, persons may prefer to have a pulsating spray available at the beginning or end of the shower with a gentle continuous spray available at other times. Other persons are highly sensitive to the pulsating action of the spray and would prefer to have a nonpulsating spray, thus creating a problem. in families where some members prefer the pulsating spray while other members do not.

The present invention is thus especially directed to the provision of a pulsating showerhead which, in addition to the features of the showerhead of parent application Ser. No. 264,959, possesses the capability of discharging a continuous or nonpulsating spray and further provides the possibility of a spray which combines both pulsating and nonpulsating streams and in which the proportion of the pulsating to nonpulsating streams can be varied at will.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The showerhead of the present invention includes a housing having an inlet at one end and an end plate at its opposite end through which a first group of orifices extend, the first group of orifices being arranged in an annular pattern concentric with the central axis of the housing. Grooves in the housing form a second group are aligned with the valve port. Rotation of the valve member thus cyclically covers and uncovers the individual orifices-of the first group of orifices to cyclically interrupt the streams of water discharged from each of the first group of orifices and produce a pulsatingspray whose frequency of pulsation isdetermined by the'rate of rotation of the valve member. A firstand a secondflow passage in the housing conduct water from the inlet to the valve port. The rotary valve member is and water flowing through the first flow passage is directed tangentially against the blades to drive the valve rotor in rotation. Water flowing through the second passage is directed axially into the valve in a manner such that it does not exert a driving force on the blades. 77 p g W n H A third flow passage in the housing bypasses the rotary valve and communicates with the second group of orifices. Water flowing through the third flow passage is thus discharged from the second group of orifices in a continuous nonpulsating stream.

The three flow passages communicate with the housin'g inlet through respective openings in a stationary flow directing plate. A shutter type control valve is slidably supported upon the flow plate on the inlet side of the plate and is formed with shutter blades which can be moved laterally across the respective openings defining the inlet ends of the three flow passages. The three openings are of arcuate configuration centered about the axis of rotation of the shutter member which can be manually rotated by a control element accessible at the exterior of the housing. The shutter member is moveable between two opposite end limits of rotation. At a first end limit of rotation, the locations of the openings in the flow plate and the shape of the shutter blades are such that the arcuate opening communicating with the third flow passage is fully exposed while the plate openings communicating with the first and second passages are fully covered by the shutter blades. With the shutter member in this position, all flow through the unit is confined to the third flow passage and a continuous non-pulsating spray is discharged from the second group of orifices. As the shutter member is moved away from the first end limit, it starts to cover the inlet to the third flow passage while at the same time begins to uncover the inlet to the first flow passage. The second flow passage inlet remains covered. In this situation, the spray discharged includes a nonpulsating component generated by the flow through the third flow passage and a pulsating component represented by the flow through the-first flow passage 'maaakas the valve rotorblad's'and is discharged from the first group'of orifices. The magnitude of pulsating flow and'the frequency of the pulsation increases as rotation of the shutter member away from its first end limit progressively opens the first flowpassage inlet andcloses the third flow passage inlet.

Continued movement of the shutter member away from its first end limit eventually completely closes the third flow passage inlet and directs all flow through the first flow passage to produce an all-pulsating spray of maximum frequency. Continued rotation of the shutter member away from its first end limit also leaves the third flow passage inlet covered and begins to progressively open the second flow passage while the first flow passage inlet is maintained at a fixed or constant area of opening. During this range of movement of the shutter member, progressive opening of the second flow passage produces an all-pulsating spray whose frequency of pulsation diminishes as the second passage is opened wider.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following specification and to the drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a. perspective view of a showerhead embodying the present invention and adapted for direct connection to a stationary supply pipe;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a modified form of showerhead adapted to be connected to the end of a flexible hose for use as a hand-held showerhead;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the showerhead of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the operating parts of the showerhead, these parts being common to the unit of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2',

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the showerhead of FIG. 1 primarily taken on a central axial plane;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the showerhead of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a detailed top plan view partially in section, showing a portion of the shutter plate operating mechanism;

FIG. 8a is a schematic view taken on line 88 of FIG. 5 and showing the shutter valve in midposition in its range of movement;

FIG. 8b is a view similar to FIG. 8a, but showing the shutter valve at one end limit of movement;

FIG. 80 is a view similar to FIG. 80, but showing the shutter valve at the opposite end limit of movement from that shown in FIG. 8b; and

FIG. 9 is a detailed cross-sectional view taken on line 99 of FIG. 5.

In the drawings, the invention is shown as being applied in FIGS. 1 and 5 to a showerhead adapted to be mounted upon a stationary supply pipe and in FIGS. 2 and 6 to a form of showerhead adapted to be attached to the end of a flexible hose or pipe to provide a handheld showerhead. These two forms of showerheads differ primarily in the structure of their upper housing unit and connecting tube and employ a common internal mechanism for regulation of the spray discharged from the respective unit. Unless specifically stated to the contrary in the following description, it is to be assumed that the various parts and functions described below are applicable to either of the wall-mounted unit of FIG. 1 or the hand-held unit of FIG. 2.

Referring primarily to the exploded perspective view of FIG. 4 and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, a showerhead embodying the present invention includes a lower housing unit designated generally and of hollow tubular configuration formed with an externally threaded neck 22 at its upper end. The internal central passage through lower housing 22 is formed with three radial shoulders 24, 26 and 28 which provide seating shoulders for axially locating other elements of the showerhead within lower housing 20. Two sets of diametrically opposed axial grooves 30 and 32 (see also FIGS. 8a-8c and FIG. 9) extend downwardly respectively from shoulders 24 and 26 to rotatively orient other elements of the assembly. The lower end of the central passage through housing unit 20 is formed with a series of axially extending slots 34. In the assembled showerhead, a washer 36 is seated to extend across the open radially inner sides of grooves 34 to complete definition of grooves 34 as one group of spray discharge orifices.

Washer 36 is seated within an annular groove formed on the exterior of a spray cup assembly designated generally 38 having a tubular main body 40 and an end wall or orifice plate 42 seated within and extending across the open lower end of tubular body 40. Three like groups of discharge orifices 44 are bored through end wall 42 and lie in a symmetrical relationship within an annular band concentric with the central axis of the unit. At the upper end of main body 40, a pair of like flow carrying troughs 46 extend partially around the outer circumference of member 40 in symmetrically disposed relationship. The adjacent ends of the two troughs 46, as best seen in FIG. 4, terminate short of each other to provide a pair of axially extending flow passages 48 through the troughs, passages 48 being diametrically opposed to each other (see also FIG. 9). As best seen in FIG. 9, a plurality of tangentially directed passages 50 pass through the radially inner wall of each of troughs 46 so that water flowing through the troughs is discharged tangentially into the central passage of main body 40. As best shown in FIG. 5, the exterior of troughs 46 are seated upon the lowermost shoulder 28 of lower housing 20 to axially locate spray cup 38 within housing 20, the cup being rotatively oriented within housing 20 by a pair of projecting lugs 52 received within locating slots 32 of housing 20. When spray cup 38 is seated within housing 20, washer 36 is radially compressed against grooves 34 to cause the grooves to define one group of orifices, while orifices 44 in end wall 42 define a second group of spray discharge orifices.

A rotary valve member, designated generally 54, rests upon the inner or upper side of end wall 42 and is retained by the inner wall of main body 40 for rotation about the central axis of the unit. Valve member 54 is a one piece molded member preferably formed from a glass reinforced nylon material. The valve member includes a flat generally C-shaped base plate portion 56 which lies in a radial general plane and extends for approximately about its central axis. A semicyclindrical portion 58 isintegrally joined to the opposite ends of portion 56 and extends angularly around the remaining 180 of rotor 54. The lower edge of semicyclindrical portion 58 is coplanar with the top or upper surface of flat portion 56 so that the latter has its lower surface spaced downwardly from the lower edge of semicyclindrical portion 58. A plurality of radially extending blades 60 are integrally mounted upon portions 56 and 58 in symmetrical relationship to the central axis of the unit. The relative angular extent of plate 56 may vary. However, the 180 extent shown in the drawings represents a preferred form.

Referring now to FIG. 5, it will be noted that plate 56 of valve rotor 54 rests on the inner surface of end wall 42 of the spray cup assembly and is so located as to cover, at all times and rotative positions, at least a portion of orifices 44, the annular band within which orifices 44 lie corresponding in general to the annular path traversed by end plate 56 upon rotation of valve rotor 44. Radial blades 60, as best seen in FIG. 9, are so located as to be struck by water discharged through tangential passages 50, and valve rotor 54 is thus driven in rotation at a rate which varies with the rate of flow of water through tangential passages 50 of the spray cup assembly.

A flow directing plate, designated generally 62, overlies the upper end of spray cup 38 and is employed to direct and control the flow of water to the various discharge orifices. Flow directing plate 62 is seated upon the second or middle radial shoulder of lower housing unit 20, and an O-ring 64 seated between the periphery of plate 62 and housing provides a seal against the flow of water around the outer periphery of plate 62. Plate 62 is formed with a first pair of segmental openings 66 which are located in diametrically opposed relationship to each other, a second pair of diametrically opposed segmently shaped openings 68 and a third pair of segmental openings 70. Radially projecting tabs 72 on plate 62 are engaged in axial slots in housing 20 to rotatively orient plate 62 relative to spray cup 38 so that openings 66 are vertically aligned with and communicate directly with flow passages 48 in spray cup 38. Openings 68 in plate 62 are aligned and communicate with troughs 46 of spray cup 38, while openings 70 are located radially inwardly of the inner wall of main body of spray cup 38. A gasket 74 is seated between the lower side of flow directing plate 62 and the upper end of spray cup 38 and is formed with notches 76 and openings 78 respectively aligned with openings 66 and 68 in plate 62.

Integrally formed on the upper surface of plate 62 are a segmentally shaped upwardly projecting stop rib 80 and a pair of upwardly projecting compression tabs 82. Slidably supported for rotation upon the upper surface of plate 62 is an annular shutter plate, designated generally 84, which takes the form of an internal ring gear 85 having six symmetrically disposed segmentally shaped shutter blades 86, 88, 90, 82 and 94 projecting radially inwardly from the lower side of ring gear 85. As best seen in FIGS. 8a-8c, the radial inward extent of shutter blades 86, 90 and 94 exceeds those of blades 88, 92 and 96 so that alternate blades are of relatively short or relatively long radius. The internal radius of blades 88, 92 and 96 is such that the inner ends of these blades fall radially outwardly beyond the location of segmental stop rib 80, while blades 86, 90 and 94 project radially across the location of stop rib 80. Thus, when shutter blade 84 rests on top of flow directing plate 62, rotary movement of the shutter plate is limited through an angle having one end limit defined by the engagement of one of plates 86, 90 and 94 with one end of stop rib 90 and whose opposite limit is defined by the engagement of an adjacent plate 86, 90 or 94 with the opposite end of rib 80.

When assembled as shown in the drawings, one end limit of rotary movement of shutter blade 84 is depicted in FIG. 8b at which shutter blade 94 engages one end of stop rib 80, while the opposite end limit of movement of the shutter blade is depicted in FIG. 80 where shutter plate 90 engages the opposite end of stop rib 80. Referring briefly to all of FIGS. 8a, 8b and 80, it will be noted that the radial location of openings 70 through flow directing plate 62 is such that openings 70 cannot be covered by the radially short shutter plates 88, 92 and/or 96 but that the short plates can radially overlap and cover openings 66 and 68. Rotary movement of shutter plate 84 upon flow directing plate 62 is employed to control and vary the spray discharge from the showerhead in a manner to be described in greater detail below.

The individual parts described thus far are held in their assembled position by a connecting tube member designated generally 98 and having a depending annular skirt 100 which is internally threaded (see FIG. 5) to threadably receive the externally threaded upper end of lower housing unit 20 to which it is sealed by .a washer 101. Connecting tube member 98 as shown in FIG. 4 is specifically intended for use in the wall mounted showerhead of FIG. 1, a slightly modified form of connecting tube member 98a (see FIG. 6) being employed with the hand held unit of FIG. 2.

Rotation of shutter plate 84 is accomplished by a pinion gear 102 meshed with ring gear and having its shaft 104 rotatably received within a bore 106 in connectingtube 98. An O- ring 107 seals shaft 104 to bo 106 (see F 5). A second ge ar 1l r t tatably locked Y LFIG. SLintegrally formed on a control ringgssernbly designated generally 112 and rotatably supported upon cgrnecting tube 98.

Referring again to FIG. 5, it will be seen that,

connecting tube 98 is threadably mounted on lower housing unit 20, compression tabs 82 of flow directing plate 62 are engaged by the underside of connecting tube 98 so that, as tube 98 and lower housing unit 20 are threaded into each other, flow directing plate 62 is forced downwardly against the top of spray cup 38 to clamp gasket 74 and also to force spray cup 38 downwardly so that its troughs 46 are seated on lower shoulder 28 in housing 20. It is not necessary that flow directing plates 62 be firmly seated axially against shoulder 26, since O-ring 64 is radially compressed to form the necessary seal around the outer periphery of plate 62. During assembly, an annular ring 114 is clamped between the lower end of connecting tube 98 and a shoulder on lower housing unit 20, ring 114 being primarily for cosmetic purposes and providing a stationary member upon which a scale for indicating the rotative position of control ring 112 relative to the housing may be located. An upper housing unit 116 (stationary supply form) is threadably received upon the upper end of connecting tube 98 and when threaded onto tube 98 frictionally clamps a swivel ball fitting 118 to the unit to provide a means for mounting the assembly upon a stationary supply pipe. The skirt of upper housing unit 116 also serves to axially confine control ring 112.

OPERATION The showerhead described above is operable to deliver three general types of sprays an all-continuous spray in which all water discharged from the showerhead is discharged in continuous uninterrupted streams, an all-pulsating spray in which all water discharged from the showerhead is discharged in pulsating or cyclically interrupted streams, or a combination continuous-pulsating spray in which a portion of the water is discharged in continuous streams while the remaining portion is discharged as a pulsating cyclically interrupted spray. The showerhead, when discharging a combination spray, may be adjusted to selectively vary the proportioning of relative amounts of continuous spray to pulsating spray, this adjustment being made in a manner such that the frequency of pulsation of the pulsating spray component is increased as the proportion of pulsating spray to continuous spray is increased. Where the device is operated to produce an all-pulsating spray, the frequency of pulsation of the spray may be selectively varied.

Referring to FIG. 5, it will be seen that, in the assembled wall mounted shower, water from the stationary supply pipe, not shown, enters the showerheacl through ball fitting 118 and passes into an inlet chamber 120 enclosed by connecting tube 98, lower housing unit and flow directing plate 62. A similar inlet chamber likewise exists in the hand-held unit of FIGS. 2 and 6.

Neglecting for the moment shutter plate 84, it will be seen that inlet chamber 120 is provided with three sets of outlets constituted of paired openings 66, 68 and 70 through flow directing plate 62. Openings 66, 68 and 70 respectively constitute the inlet ends of three separate and distinct flow passages through the showerhead.

A first i'low passage from inlet chamber 120 extends from openings 68 to the interior of the two troughs 46 of spray cup 38 and thence through tangential passages 50 into the interior of spray cup 38 to thus communicate with discharge orifices 44. Water following this first flow passage impinges on blades 60 of rotary valve member 54 as the water is discharged from tangential passages 50, and thus water following the first flow passage drives valve rotor 54 in rotation to cyclically interrupt the streams of water discharged from orifices 44 as the flat plate portion 56 of rotary valve 54 rotates through overlying relationship with the individual ones of orifices 44.

A second fiow passage extends from inlet chamber 120 through openings 70 in flow directing plate 62 and passes from opening 70 directly into the interior of spray cup 38 for discharge through orifices 44. Because water flowing through this second flow passage is discharged axially into the interior of spray cup 38, water following the second flow passage does not contribute to the rotary speed of valve rotor 54 and in fact exerts a slight braking action on the rotor as the rotating blades strike the axially directed streams from openings 70.

It will be noted that water following the first and second passages is divided at flow directing plate 62 and recombined within the interior of spray cup 38 prior to discharge from orifices 44. Thus, all water flowing through the first and second flow passages is discharged from orifices 44 as a pulsating spray.

A third flow passage extends from inlet chamber 120 through openings 66 of flow directing plates 62. Openings 66 are aligned with passages 48 on the exterior of spray cup 38, passages 48 communicating directly with the second group of orifices 34. Because this third flow passage is at the exterior of spray cup 38, water flowing through the third flow passage bypasses valve rotor 54 and is discharged in a continuous stream from orifices 34.

Control of the frequency of pulsation of the pulsating spray and the apportioning of the relative amounts of pulsating to nonpulsating spray is accomplished by rotatively positioning shutter plate 84 to fully or partially block openings 66, 68 and 70 in accordance with the position of the various shutter blades relative to the openings. Referring now to FIGS. 8a, 8b, and 8c shutter plate 84 is shown at three basic positions of rotative adjustment relative to flow directing plate 62. In FIG. 8a, shutter plate 84 is midway between its opposite end limits of rotative adjustment relative to plate 62, while FIGS. 8b and show shutter plate 84 respectively at its opposite end limits of rotative adjustments as determined by the engagement of shutter blade 86 with one end of stop rib 80 as in FIG. 8b or the engagement of shutter blade 94 with the opposite end of stop rib 80 as in FIG. 8a.

In FIG. 8a, shutter plate 84 is so positioned that openings 66 are completely covered by shutter blades 86 and 92, openings 70 are completely covered by shutter blades 90 and 94, while one-half of each of openings 68 is covered by blades 94 and 88. With shutter plate 84 in this rotative position, the only openings in flow directing plate 62 which are exposed are openings 68, and hence all flow through the showerhead will occur through the first flow passage referred to above namely from openings 68 to trough 46 and thence via tangential passages 50 into the interior of spray cap 38 for discharge through orifices 44. As stated above, water passing through passages 50 impinges on blades 60 of rotary valve 54 to drive the valve in rotation and thus cyclically open and close orifices 44. Because all of the water flowing through the unit, when shutter blade 84 is in the position of FIG. 8a, must be discharged through orifices 44, all of the spray discharged is a pulsating cyclically interrupted spray. Further because of the fact that all of water then flowing through the showerhead impinges on blades 60 of the rotary valve, the valve will be driven at a maximum rate of rotation for a given amount of supply pressure and the frequency of pulsation thus will be at a maximum.

Rotation of shutter plate 84 is accomplished by annular rotation of control ring 112, gear 110 on control ring 112 driving pinion gear 108 to thus rotate shaft 104 and pinion 102, this latter pinion being in mesh with ring gear of shutter plate 84. Upon rotation of shutter plate 84 in a clockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 8a toward the position shown in FIG. 8b, the area of openings 68 exposed between shutter blades 88, and 94, 96 remains constant. However, as shutter plate 84 rotates clockwise away from its FIG. 8a position, the trailing edges of shutter blades 90 and 94 begin to expose openings 70 and an increasing portion of the water flowing through the device begins to pass through openings 70. Water passingthrgu gl openiggs 70 follows the second flow passage described above and is discharged from openings 70 axially into the interior of spray cup 38. The radial location of passages 70 is such that water flowing from these passages passes axially across the rotary path of blades 60, thus exerting a slight braking action on the rate of rotation of the bIades. The rate of rotation of the blades is further reduced due to the fact that, as the volume of flow through openings 70 begins to build up as the openings are exposed by rotation of shutter blade 84, a consequent reduction in the volume of flow through openings 68, troughs 46 and tangential passages 50 occurs, thus reducing the volume and rate of flow of water discharged from passages 50 from which the driving force causing rotation of valve rotor 54 is derived.

Because openings 66 remain blocked during movement of shutter blade 84 between the FIGS. 8a and 8b positions, all flow through the unit occurs through the first and second flow passages described above, these flows being united in the interior of spray cap 38 and thus being discharged through orifices 44. Thus, an allpulsating flow is achieved throughout the full range of movement of shutter plate 84 between the FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b positions. However, the frequency of pulsation of this flow varies in accordance with the rotative position of shutter plate 84, the frequency being a minimum when the maximum area of opening of openings 70 is achieved in the FIG. 8b position and the frequency of pulsation increasing as the shutter blade is rotated from the 8b position toward the 8a position at which the pulsation frequency reaches a maximum for a given supply pressure.

Upon movement of shutter blade 84 in a counter clockwise direction from the FIG. 8a position toward the FIG. 8c position, openings 70 remain covered by shutter plates 90 and 94, while the counter clockwise movement of shutter blades 86 and 92 begins to progressively expose openings 66 to flow from chamber 120. Further, counter clockwise movement of shutter blades 88 and 94 from the FIG. 8a position toward the FIG. 80 position progressively reduces the area of openings 68 to flow from inlet chamber 120 until, upon arrival of shutter plate 84 at the FIG. 8c position, openings 68 are completely covered by shutter plates 88 and 94, while shutter plates 86 and 92 have moved to positions where openings 66 are fully opened to flow.

When shutter plate 84 is in the FIG. 8c position, all flow through the unit occurs through the third flow passage previously mentioned, passing from openings 66 through passageways 48 along the exterior of spray cup 38 to be discharged from the outer ring of orifices 34. Because the How to orifices 34 completely bypasses rotary valve 54, all water discharged from orifices 34 is discharged in the conventional continuous stream and thus, when the shutter plate is in the FIG. 80 position, an all-continuous spray is discharged by the device.

When shutter plate 84 is at some position intermediate the FIG. 8a and 80 position, both openings 68 and 66 are partially opened so that flow through the device is apportioned between these two sets of openings in accordance with the rotative position of shutter plate 84. At these intermediate positions, the spray discharged consists ofa continuous spray component constituted by that portion of the flow which passes through openings 66 and a pulsating spray portion constituted by the remaining portion of the flow which passes through openings 68. Over this range of movement of shutter plate 84, the frequency of pulsation of the pulsating portion of the spray will likewise vary in proportion to that component of the flow which passages through orifices 44. Thus, starting from an allcontinuous flow with shutter plate 84 in the FIG. 8c position, rotation of shutter plate 84 toward the FIG. 8a position, produces a gradually increasing component of pulsating flow of progressively increasing frequency as the FIG. 80 position is approached.

To summarize the flow characteristics of the unit, starting with the shutter plate 84 at the FIG. 8c position and assuming a constant supply pressure within inlet chamber 120, all flow emitted from the unit is discharged from orifices 34 in continuous uninterrupted or nonpulsating streams. As the control ring is rotated to drive the shutter plate in a clockwise direction away from the FIG. 8c position, the percentage of the flow discharged from orifices 34 is progressively reduced while a correspondingly increasing percentage of the flow is discharged from orifices 44. Spray discharged from orifices 44 is a pulsating spray and, as the percentage of flow through orifices 44 builds up, the frequency of pulsation increases until shutter plate 84 reaches the FIG. 8a position at which time the percentage of spray discharged from orifices 34 has been decreased to zero. Continued rotation of control ring 112 to drive shutter plate 84 in a clockwise direction beyond the FIG. 81: position causes the device to discharge an all-pulsating spray but decreases the frequency of the pulsations as shutter plate 84 moves toward the FIG. 8b position. The frequency of pulsation may also be varied by varying the supply pressure through adjustment of the control faucets in the conventional manner.

While one embodiment of the invention in two variant forms has been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the described forms may be modified. Therefore, the foregoing description is to be considered exemplary rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined in the following claims.

We claim: I. A spray nozzle comprising: a hollow housing having a fluid inlet and a first and a second group of fluid spray discharge outlets;

means in said housing defining first and second flow passages in said housing extending from said inlet respectively to said first and said second groups of discharge outlets;

a rotary valve member mounted for rotation in said first flow passage operable when rotated to cyclically interrupt flow from said inlet to said first group of outlets and cause a pulsating fluid spray to be discharged therefrom;

blade means on said valve member for driving said valve member in rotation at a rate proportional to the rate of flow of fluid through said first flow passage;

said second flow passage bypassing said valve member and communicating directly with said second group of outlets whereby fluid flowing through said second flow passage is discharged from said second group of outlets in continuous streams;

and control means for adjustably dividing flow from said inlet between said first and said second passages.

2. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said control means includes:

a plate mounted in said housing between said inlet and said outlets and having spaced first and second openings therethrough respectively establishing communication between said inlet and said first and said second flow passages;

and shutter means slidably mounted on said plate for coordinated movement into and out of overlying flow blocking relationship with said openings between a first position wherein said second opening is blocked and all flow from said inlet is directed through said first opening and a second position wherein said first opening is blocked and all flow from said inlet passes through said second opening, movement of said shutter means from one of said positions toward the other progressively decreasing the flow through one of said openings while increasing the flow through the otherrof said openings. 3. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 2 which further includes means defining a third flow passage extending from a third opening in said plate to said valve member independently of said first passage, said shutter means being movable to a third position located on the opposite side of said second position from said first position, said shutter means blocking said third opening when in said second position and progressively uncovering said third opening upon movement from said second position toward said third position to adjustably divide flow from said inlet between said first and third passages while maintaining said second opening blocked.

4. A spray nozzle comprising: a housing having a fluid inlet and a first and a second group of fluid spray discharge outlets;

means in said housing defining a first flow path from said inlet to said first group of outlets and a second flow path from said inlet to said second group of outlets;

pulsation means in said first flow path for cyclically interrupting the flow of fluid from said inlet to said first group of outlets and cause a pulsating spray to be discharged therefrom;

said second flow path bypassing said pulsation means to cause a continuous nonpulsating spray to be discharged from said second group of outlets;

' and control means movably mounted on said housing and selectively positionable to variably apportion flow from said inlet between said first and said second flow paths to cause said nozzle to selectively discharge an all-pulsating spray, an all-continuous spray or a combined spray consisting of both pulsating and continuous spray components.

5. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 4 which further includes frequency adjusting means in said control means operable, when said control means is positioned to discharge an all-pulsating spray, to vary the frequency of pulsation of said spray while maintaining a constant flow through said nozzle.

6. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 5 wherein said frequency adjusting means includes:

first and second branch passage means in said first flow path;

drive means on said pulsation means for driving said pulsation means at a rate variable with the flow of fluid through said firstbranch passage;

and valve means in said control means for adjustably dividing the flow from said inlet between said first and said second branch passages.

7. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 4 wherein said control means is movable between opposite end limits, first means in said control means operates at one of said end limits to direct all flow from said inlet through said flow from said inlet and causing said nozzle to discharge a combined spray having pulsating and continuous components of selected relative magnitude determined by the position of said control means between said one end limit and said centered position.

8. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 7 wherein said second means in said control means completely blocks flow through said second flow path at all positions of said control means between and including said centered position and the other of said end limits.

9. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 8 including third means on said control means operable during movement of said control means from said centered position toward said other end limit to progressively reduce the frequency of the pulsating spray discharged from said nozzle.

10. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 4 which further includes:

an end wall on said housing, said first group of outlets passing through said end wall and being located within an annular band concentric with a first axis;

said pulsation means including a valve member mounted for rotation about said first axis at the inner side of said end wall and having a valve port in overlying alignment with a segment of said annular band and a plate portion overlying the remainder of said annular band;

and drive means on said valve member for driving said valve member in rotation in response to flow of fluid through said first flow path.

11. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 10 wherein said drive means includes a plurality of blades on said valve member extending radially of said first axis, said first flow path having a plurality of first branch passages for discharging fluid tangentially of said first axis against said blades to drive said valve member in rotatron.

12. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 11 wherein said first flow path further includes a second branch passage for discharging fluid axially into the path of said blades, and said control means includes means for adjustably dividing flow through said first flow path between said first and second branch passages to thereby vary the rate of rotation of said valve member while maintaining a constant flow through said first flow path.

UNITED STATES ?AT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORECTI Patent 801mm Dated Anril 2. 197A Inventor(s) John M. Trenary, et a1 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

ABSTRACT PAGE In the references cited, correct the number of the Carson patent to read 3,713,587.

IN THE SPECIFICATION COLUMN 3 Line 65: Change "22" to read 2O COLUMN 5 Line 12: Change "82' to read 92 Same line: Before "andWinsert 9 Same line: Change "9A" to read 96 Line 52: Change "blade" to read plate Line 55: Change "plates" to read blades Line 56: Change '90" to read 8O Line 57: Change ."plate" to read blade COLUMN 6 Line 39: Change "plates" 11 read plate Page 1 of 2 g UNITED sures P TENT OFFICE p 2 QERTH RATE 0% EURRECTION Patent 2;801 .o1 Dated April a; lQ7 l Inventofls) John M. Trenary, et al It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

' COLUMN 8 Line 30: Change "blade" to read plate Line 61: Change "blade" to read plate COLUMN 9' i Line 2: Change "blade" to read plate Line 1%: Change "blade' to read plate Line 18: Change "blade" to read plate Line 2 1: Change "plates" to .read blades Line 29: Change "plates" to read blades Line 3O: Change 'plates" to read blades Lines 55 56:' Change "passages" to read passes Line 59: Delete the comma Signed and sealed this 11th day of March 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

C0 MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks 

1. A spray nozzle comprising: a hollow housing having a fluid inlet and a first and a second group of fluid spray discharge outlets; means in said housing defining first and second flow passages in said housing extending from said inlet respectively to said first and said second groups of discharge outlets; a rotary valve member mounted for rotation in said first flow passage operable when rotated to cyclically interrupt flow from said inlet to said first group of outlets and cause a pulsating fluid spray to be discharged therefrom; blade means on said valve member for drIving said valve member in rotation at a rate proportional to the rate of flow of fluid through said first flow passage; said second flow passage bypassing said valve member and communicating directly with said second group of outlets whereby fluid flowing through said second flow passage is discharged from said second group of outlets in continuous streams; and control means for adjustably dividing flow from said inlet between said first and said second passages.
 2. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said control means includes: a plate mounted in said housing between said inlet and said outlets and having spaced first and second openings therethrough respectively establishing communication between said inlet and said first and said second flow passages; and shutter means slidably mounted on said plate for coordinated movement into and out of overlying flow blocking relationship with said openings between a first position wherein said second opening is blocked and all flow from said inlet is directed through said first opening and a second position wherein said first opening is blocked and all flow from said inlet passes through said second opening, movement of said shutter means from one of said positions toward the other progressively decreasing the flow through one of said openings while increasing the flow through the other of said openings.
 3. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 2 which further includes means defining a third flow passage extending from a third opening in said plate to said valve member independently of said first passage, said shutter means being movable to a third position located on the opposite side of said second position from said first position, said shutter means blocking said third opening when in said second position and progressively uncovering said third opening upon movement from said second position toward said third position to adjustably divide flow from said inlet between said first and third passages while maintaining said second opening blocked.
 4. A spray nozzle comprising: a housing having a fluid inlet and a first and a second group of fluid spray discharge outlets; means in said housing defining a first flow path from said inlet to said first group of outlets and a second flow path from said inlet to said second group of outlets; pulsation means in said first flow path for cyclically interrupting the flow of fluid from said inlet to said first group of outlets and cause a pulsating spray to be discharged therefrom; said second flow path bypassing said pulsation means to cause a continuous nonpulsating spray to be discharged from said second group of outlets; and control means movably mounted on said housing and selectively positionable to variably apportion flow from said inlet between said first and said second flow paths to cause said nozzle to selectively discharge an all-pulsating spray, an all-continuous spray or a combined spray consisting of both pulsating and continuous spray components.
 5. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 4 which further includes frequency adjusting means in said control means operable, when said control means is positioned to discharge an all-pulsating spray, to vary the frequency of pulsation of said spray while maintaining a constant flow through said nozzle.
 6. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 5 wherein said frequency adjusting means includes: first and second branch passage means in said first flow path; drive means on said pulsation means for driving said pulsation means at a rate variable with the flow of fluid through said first banch passage; and valve means in said control means for adjustably dividing the flow from said inlet between said first and said second branch passages.
 7. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 4 wherein said control means is movable between opposite end limits, first means in said control means operates at one of said end limits to direct all flow from said inlet througH said second flow path and cause an all-continuous spray to be discharged from said nozzle, and second means in said control means operates during movement of said control means from said one end limit toward a centered position midway between said end limits for progressively restricting said second flow path while simultaneously progressively opening said first flow path to flow from said inlet and causing said nozzle to discharge a combined spray having pulsating and continuous components of selected relative magnitude determined by the position of said control means between said one end limit and said centered position.
 8. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 7 wherein said second means in said control means completely blocks flow through said second flow path at all positions of said control means between and including said centered position and the other of said end limits.
 9. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 8 including third means on said control means operable during movement of said control means from said centered position toward said other end limit to progressively reduce the frequency of the pulsating spray discharged from said nozzle.
 10. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 4 which further includes: an end wall on said housing, said first group of outlets passing through said end wall and being located within an annular band concentric with a first axis; said pulsation means including a valve member mounted for rotation about said first axis at the inner side of said end wall and having a valve port in overlying alignment with a segment of said annular band and a plate portion overlying the remainder of said annular band; and drive means on said valve member for driving said valve member in rotation in response to flow of fluid through said first flow path.
 11. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 10 wherein said drive means includes a plurality of blades on said valve member extending radially of said first axis, said first flow path having a plurality of first branch passages for discharging fluid tangentially of said first axis against said blades to drive said valve member in rotation.
 12. A spray nozzle as defined in claim 11 wherein said first flow path further includes a second branch passage for discharging fluid axially into the path of said blades, and said control means includes means for adjustably dividing flow through said first flow path between said first and second branch passages to thereby vary the rate of rotation of said valve member while maintaining a constant flow through said first flow path. 